Courtesy ICDallas For this year's (or should I say "for last year's"? Whatever. You get the point), New Year's Eve celebration we stayed at the InterContinental Dallas (which is actually in Addison, a suburb just North of Dallas). While there we went to the Emerald City Band NYE party, which was a blast. Good times had by all.
Bit off more than they could chew?
That was my first impression when I pulled up to the hotel at about 9:00pm. The parking lot was absolutely packed. I figured my best shot at getting the party started quickly was to valet. I pulled up to the front and asked how much it was. The guy never answered. That's because valet was full. He told me there was a parking garage around the back that usually costs $10 but tonight was "complimentary," a nice gesture. When all was said and done, by the time I found a spot it was about 9:20. I walked in and had to walk past what looked like at least two or three separate parties already in full swing. None of which was the party Crystal and I were going to. Did they bite off more than they could chew? No. It was very crowded...but the staff handled it well.
The devil is in the details
Bit off more than they could chew?
That was my first impression when I pulled up to the hotel at about 9:00pm. The parking lot was absolutely packed. I figured my best shot at getting the party started quickly was to valet. I pulled up to the front and asked how much it was. The guy never answered. That's because valet was full. He told me there was a parking garage around the back that usually costs $10 but tonight was "complimentary," a nice gesture. When all was said and done, by the time I found a spot it was about 9:20. I walked in and had to walk past what looked like at least two or three separate parties already in full swing. None of which was the party Crystal and I were going to. Did they bite off more than they could chew? No. It was very crowded...but the staff handled it well.
The devil is in the details
I got to the elevator and pressed "5" for the fifth floor. The elevator looked old. It looked like it was in need of an update. The carpet was old, the doors had those scratch marks on them, presumably, from opening and closing so much. The bad 'details' bothered me. Having said that, the elevator did it's job just fine.
The room was nice. We stayed in one of their Double Club Rooms. It had a short entrance way. The bathroom was on the right (when looking into the room) there was a closet on the left. Past the bathroom door was the little bar area. Once you got into the main part of the room there was a nice entertainment center with some fragile looking vases being used as decor (thank God we didn't break any). Something that bothered both Crystal and me was how dark the room was. Even with all the lights on - it was pretty poorly lit. Also, after checking into our room, Crystal realized there was no TV remote or iron. I'm sure it was an oversight, but still, you don't expect oversights like this at hotels, especially if its a high-end InterContinental.
The room was nice. We stayed in one of their Double Club Rooms. It had a short entrance way. The bathroom was on the right (when looking into the room) there was a closet on the left. Past the bathroom door was the little bar area. Once you got into the main part of the room there was a nice entertainment center with some fragile looking vases being used as decor (thank God we didn't break any). Something that bothered both Crystal and me was how dark the room was. Even with all the lights on - it was pretty poorly lit. Also, after checking into our room, Crystal realized there was no TV remote or iron. I'm sure it was an oversight, but still, you don't expect oversights like this at hotels, especially if its a high-end InterContinental.
Yes, the band members are wearing animal masks This place can handle a lot of events. According to their website, they have over 100,000 square feet to work with when it comes to party space. The Emerald City Band was playing in the Crystal Ball Room (coincidence? I think not). The party was a blast. We certainly welcomed in the new year in style.
I didn't have a chance to eat at the hotel (which is a story in and of itself). I did head down to get some coffee in the morning and was less than impressed with their coffee bar. I used cash for the $2 purchase and the lady behind the counter couldn't even give me correct change. That, and the Starbucks coffee that they claimed they served wasn't very good.
How much did this cost?
The room didn't cost me anything. I used Chase Ultimate Rewards Points. And doing it through Chase.com - I got 25% off the daily rate. For example, if the going rate was $140 a night, it would cost you $105 (or 10,500 points) by booking it through the Ultimate Rewards portal. As for the party - it cost $8-$9 a drink. Between Crystal and I it lightened my wallet by about $30 (we also had some booze in the room). A hotel stay and party for $30? Not bad for NYE.
Summing it up
Overall, the experience was nice. The hotel staff was friendly and they were good at what they did. I would stay there again. I probably won't need to, but I would. If you are headed to Dallas (downtown area) I wouldn't recommend staying here. It's really not in a great location for that. There are plenty of restaurants and things to do in the area, but Addison typically isn't the main reason someone would come visit DFW.
I didn't have a chance to eat at the hotel (which is a story in and of itself). I did head down to get some coffee in the morning and was less than impressed with their coffee bar. I used cash for the $2 purchase and the lady behind the counter couldn't even give me correct change. That, and the Starbucks coffee that they claimed they served wasn't very good.
How much did this cost?
The room didn't cost me anything. I used Chase Ultimate Rewards Points. And doing it through Chase.com - I got 25% off the daily rate. For example, if the going rate was $140 a night, it would cost you $105 (or 10,500 points) by booking it through the Ultimate Rewards portal. As for the party - it cost $8-$9 a drink. Between Crystal and I it lightened my wallet by about $30 (we also had some booze in the room). A hotel stay and party for $30? Not bad for NYE.
Summing it up
Overall, the experience was nice. The hotel staff was friendly and they were good at what they did. I would stay there again. I probably won't need to, but I would. If you are headed to Dallas (downtown area) I wouldn't recommend staying here. It's really not in a great location for that. There are plenty of restaurants and things to do in the area, but Addison typically isn't the main reason someone would come visit DFW.
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